Arka: The Curse

Arka is supposed to be younger in this but somehow looks the same age hmmmm. Might tweak this story a bit but here it is roughly written.
------------------------------

What was supposed to be a simple trip with others, now turned to a near death experience. Arka was found after being separated from the others when a strange fog rolled through, with no apparent injury until they noticed the ghostly scaring on his body. He was immediately rushed backed to the village for the Priestesses of the village to watch over him as his body would sometimes have sudden bouts of muscle spasms like he is trying wake up, his muffled voice in pain. Drifting in and out of conscious but it wasn't something that would last for long.
Many know of creatures that roams the lands, the ones who left Arka in a state are known as The Hags of the Ravine, beings that disguise themselves to lead the unwary before their disfigured selves appear to grasp at their prey, draining all life essence with a slow and painful manner. Somehow, Arka survived, left hanging on life's threads with marks of the Hags on his skin but no one knows who it was that saved him, yet the Priestesses and the Chief of the village thinks it was his Spirit Guardian who quickly came in time to protect him.
Arka slowly recovered over time, gradually becoming more alert and his marks fading over the many days. When he eventually got better he would not talk about what happened, staying ever silent which would unnerve many. Only speaking rarely at times, or just a noise to express himself. His face expression rather plain and straight that not many can read what he is thinking or how he is feeling.
--------------------------------

This picture and story covers some of Arka's backstory, a reason for his very eerie silence but it was said he was always a quiet one. This takes place before he moved villages to the one where Juniper lives.
The Spirit Guardians are assigned from birth creatures, of course as name suggests they are just mythical spirits but they are actual real beings that roam the Frosted Lands.
The statue seen in the picture is the Goddess they all worship, in this piece it is decorated and watches over Arka carefully. The skeletal one is based of the Horse deity, one who heals living beings and lands.